January 5th, 2012
Six months ago, my sister told me that moccasins would be in. I didn’t believe her, wondering who would be wearing them. Turns out, my sister was right as usual with her fashion predictions. Moccasins are everywhere; even I want a pair. People love to wear them with skinny jeans. They look cute with skirts and shorts too.
My favorite moccasins are Minnetonka shearling ones, which are perfect for the cold weather and just cozy on your toes. The tall fringed boots are great way to show off your legs.
Tags: Bella Maven, bellamaven.com, Minnetonka, Minnetonka moccasins, moccasins, shoes
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April 6th, 2011
We have had some amazing opportunities, met with a lot of interesting people, worked with well-known brands, and traveled all over the world. Being so lucky, Bella Maven wants to give back to the community that has given us so much. This is why we are currently running an online promotion (now until May 8th), where 15% of sales will be donated to the Community Family Guidance Center and along with Hartfactory and Postella are sponsoring the Community Family Guidance Center’s Mother’s Day Fundraising Event on Friday April 15th. We believe in supporting a good cause.
The Community Family Guidance Center (CFGC) promotes the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and provides affordable services to help children and their families deal with child abuse and mental illness. This is an important and worthy organization that needs your help to maintain its services. We would love it if you could contribute to the CFGC as well. Here are some ways to help support this great organization:
(1) Attend the Mother’s Day Fundraiser on April 15, 2011 at the Emerald Room, Cerritos Sheraton, Cerritos, CA (VIP from 6:00 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. and general public from 7:20 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) and shop for items from Bella Maven, Hartfactory and Postella;
(2) Purchase a VIP/Raffle ticket for $15 online or through CFGC. The VIP/Raffle ticket entitles you to preview the fundraiser from 6:00 p.m. to 7:20 p.m., hors d’oeuvres, and enters you to win a $150 prize. Even if you cannot attend the Mother’s Day fundraiser, you can still purchase the $15 raffle ticket to be eligible for the $150 prize and help support for CFGC;
(3) Shop at Bella Maven. 15% of all sales through May 8 will be donated to CFGC. Use promo code CFGC at checkout and you can also get 5% off your entire purchase.
Finally, please feel free to help us spread the word. The more people who know about CFGC and this fundraiser, the more funds we can raise to help CFGC continue its programs and provide much needed assistance to children and their families who suffer from childhood trauma, abuse and mental illness.
Thank you for your consideration and anticipated support!
Tags: Bella Maven, bellamaven.com, CFGC, Community Family Guidance Center, fundraiser, Hartfactory, Mother's Day Online Fundraising, Mother's Day Online Fundraising Event, Postella
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January 7th, 2011
I know someone who believes that everyday should be glamourous even if you are stuck cleaning the house, babysitting, doing yardwork, having a staycation, etc., etc. Her philosophy is this: make the effort to put some bling into your wardrobe, it keeps you feeling good about yourself. Whenever I’ve run into my friend, who may just be doing errands, I never cease to notice the effort she makes in wearing one standout piece or accessory.
Here are some things that make us feel beautiful and we love wearing, even if it’s just to clean the toilets: molly earrings, stephanie cross, ocean necklace, and siren cuff. And, if we want people to think we have other plans besides staying at home for the rest of the night, we love to bring along the golden sunshine coin purse, paisley clutch, and elegant soiree clutch.
Tags: Bella Maven, bellamaven.com, bracelet, clutch, coin purse, cuff, Diana Warner, earrings, evening clutch, handbags, jewelry, molly earrings, necklace, ocean necklace, paisley clutch, siren cuff, soiree clutch, stephanie cross necklace
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December 3rd, 2010
With the continuing economic downturn, several themes in fashion emerge – from austerity and elegance to a warrior like aesthetic. Military inspired apparel is still in full force as a cross between Joan of Arc and Robin Hood. Femininity can be seen in clothing that is inspired by the boudoir. It’s all about lace and lingerie as outerwear – the eva and nicole are perfect. We love our skinny pants with graphic tanks like the moderne, cozy cardigans – military jacket or boyfriend sweater, and over the knee boots.
The color palette this season consists of camel, earth/forest tones, doses of gray, black, berries, and neutrals.
Gold is the hottest accent color this season with bangles and gold chain shoulder bags – trio, gold bangles, nirvana bangle set, bark bangle set, liberty, laura wave trimmed satchel, and jackson metallic. There’s also the addition of luxurious features – decadent gold, soft fabrics, interesting textures, and fur. As the major element of the season, fur is seen everywhere from clothing to shoes, and handbags.
The statement accessory is the fur handbag. We love the sequin fur handbag with its sparkles, the portable alvin crossbody, and the practical fur hobo. The styles that are hot right now include satchels and buckle front handbags that can be carried or act as a clutch – laura wave satchel, liberty, park, marianne, and alyssa. Crossbody bags are great as well due to their youthful appeal. Long chain straps are chic and these bags are perfect for nights and days, where only credit cards, i.d., cash, and lipstick are required – flower cross body, moon beams coin purse, golden sunshine, single handle fringe, blue rose, butterfly, true blue, fruity, and josie.
Tags: apparel, Bella Maven, bellamaven.com, Big Buddha, blouses, bracelets, Chocolate handbags, Chocolate New York, Collective Clothing, fashion trends, handbags, jackets, jewelry, Lush, Melie Bianco, Nine Threads, Skillus, tops, winter 2010 fashion trends
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September 21st, 2010
The Costa del Sol region of southern Spain is known for its charming white villages and beachside communities along the Mediterranean coastline. The area is popular among foreign travelers and has a reputation as a playground for super-rich and famous visitors. Just recently, the first lady of the U.S., Mrs. Obama, and her youngest daughter, Sasha, vacationed there.
It’s not surprising then that for parties and celebrations, women tend to dress with some flair. Bright, bold colors and interesting hair pieces and hats are what make the Costa del Sol region distinct. Pairing darker colored dresses with colorful accessories and wearing hair pulled back in simple buns were all the rage.
Tags: Costa del Sol, fashion, spanish fashion, street style
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July 20th, 2010
I was so happy yesterday to finally see all the photos in our look book. This being the first one, we were experimenting with it, but I think we will probably do a style guide soon. I can’t really reveal too much about it, but it will most likely be on our site this week if everything tests out well. I thought you might enjoy seeing some photographs from our latest photo shoot. These didn’t make it into the look book. For this latest round, we used talented photographer Eloisa Nadine Hernandez. She takes amazing photos and definitely understands all the nuances of making the shot look beautiful, as well as tell a story.
The emma blouse is my sister’s favorite blouse so far. So soft and very figure flattering because it isn’t fitted so it allows you to eat and not divulge any imperfections you may have around your waistline. Because it is so versatile, you can wear it casual with your best boyfriend jeans or dressy, for office days and when you want to look prim and proper.
(First look: Loralei wears the emma blouse with distressed boyfriend jeans, Prada sunglasses, and a straw hat. Second look: Loralei wears the emma blouse with snakeskin natural belt, braid bracelet, blue moissanite bracelet, charm hoop disk earrings in gold, and a floral print skirt. | Photography by Eloisa Nadine Hernandez for Bella Maven | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon.)
Tags: apparel, Bella Maven, bellamaven.com, braid bracelet, By Boe, charm hoop disk earrings, Chinese Laundry belts, Collective Clothing, Eloisa Nadine Hernandez, emma blouse, fashion, floral print skirt, Gorjana, jewelry, Loralei Rose Bingamon, Nine Threads
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July 13th, 2010
Towards the end of summer, I like to travel. I figure there’s less chance of being somewhere crowded since most people take their vacations beforehand. I tend to pack light just in case I buy some new things. So, for the most part, much of my wardrobe consists of dresses. They don’t take up much space in my suitcase. I favor dresses that are comfortable and look great. In fact, I like dresses that feel like I’m wearing sweats for days when I don’t want to spend too much time on my appearance. I am on vacation. At the same time, I don’t want people I don’t know to think I’m a bum. Who knows if I might catch the eye of a good looking, muscular toned stranger, right? My go-to-travel dress right now is the abby. The color, cut, and pleating of the dress make it very figure flattering. Here’s Abby, looking relaxed in a tropical setting, wearing the dress that is so aptly named after her.
(Abby wears the Abby dress with forum sea necklace and trio bracelet. | Photography by Marie Padilla for Bella Maven.)
Tags: Abby dress, Abby Nyema, accessories, apparel, Bella Maven, bellamaven.com, Bubijou, jewelry, Many Belles Down, Marie Padilla, Skillus
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July 6th, 2010
I always like vibrant colors for summer, especially blue. It’s one of those colors that look great on most skin tones. Here’s Abby wearing the monet blouse, which is great for warm weather days, barbeques, or when you need to hide some belly flab. She accessorizes the blouse with some jewelry. What’s really hot right now is wearing multiple bracelets on your wrist.
Due to the heat, makeup melts and hair tends to flatten or get frizzy. We recommend using Moroccan Oil. It seems to be a popular product among celebrities and keeps hair looking healthy, shiny, and retain body. We used it on Abby’s hair for the latest photoshoot.
Makeup requires a light touch for warm days. You’ll probably just need a little lip gloss, some mascara, and maybe silver metallic eye liner just to make your eyes pop. Spritz some Chantecaille Pure Rosewater when you’ve been outside for a few hours and you should feel refreshed.
(Abby wears monet blouse with tere hoops, braid ring, four wires ring, and nirvana bangle set. | Photography by Marie Padilla for Bella Maven.)
Tags: Bella Maven, bellamaven.com, By Boe, Chantecaille Pure Rosewater, Collective Clothing, Diana Warner, Marie Padilla, Monet blouse, Moroccan Oil, Nine Threads, Skillus
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July 5th, 2010
The end of the 4th of July holiday weekend usually marks more summer days ahead and looking forward to some vacation plans. What better way to spend a few days then at a beach resort. Life has always been about balance for me so I wanted to combine work with pleasure by doing a photo shoot at the beach. It didn’t really seem like I was doing work anyway.
Here’s a sneak peak at what goes on behind the scenes in a Bella Maven photoshoot.
(Nicole wears the kensington blouse, walker cuff in patchwork, and charm hoop disk earrings in gold for Bella Maven | Photography by Marie Padilla | Shot on location in Newport Coast.)
Tags: Bella Maven, bellamaven.com, charm hoop disk earrings, Gorjana, kensington blouse, Many Belles Down, Marie Padilla, walker cuff in patchwork
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March 24th, 2010
I have a weakness for jewelry that began when I was four. My mother gave me my first piece of jewelry then, a beautiful 24 karat gold bracelet. I’ve been collecting jewelry ever since. It’s a passion I share with my sister.
There were years when I would only gravitate towards sterling silver, white gold, or platinum, but lately, I have a fondness for gold. I especially love mixing metals – gold with silver. And, I like jewelry that’s modern, yet classic. When I was living in Hawaii, I began a love affair with By Boe jewelry. It has a simple understated elegance.
By Boe jewelry was created by designer Annika Inez, who graduated from Parsons. The jewelry is handmade in New York and has been worn by celebrities. You’ll recognize the names from Cameron Diaz, Oprah Winfrey, Mandy Moore, Kelly Ripa, to Jessica Alba, etc. It has been featured in several magazines such as Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, In Style, Real Simple, and Lucky.
I love the materials they use from 14 karat gold-filled to sterling silver. Their new collection for Spring and Summer 2010 incorporates a combination of new and vintage materials like hundred year-old metallic yarn from France or leather. If you buy a piece of jewelry from By Boe, you’ll absolutely love it. I have given out By Boe jewelry as gifts to some of my friends on their birthdays. Days later, I usually receive a thank you note where they are gushing about it.
dainty and demure – copper 175 necklace, and sparkling thread
sexy dimepiece – slip-knot necklace, signum 169, wire arc, and dangling paddle; on sale – falling water
cool rock n’ rolla – braid bracelet, braid ring, waterfall hoop; on sale – tiered chain
classic everyday – zacky circle, joely
Tags: Bella Maven, bellamaven.com, bracelet, braid bracelet, braid ring, By Boe, By Boe jewelry, By Boe tiered chain necklace, By Boe zacky circle necklace, copper 175 necklace, dangling paddle, dangling paddle earrings, earrings, falling water necklace, jewelry, joely earrings, rings, signum 169, slip-knot necklace, sparkling thread, sparkling thread ring, waterfall hoop earrings
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